MWE Correspondent
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, U.S. and African partner forces stationed near Kismayo, Somalia, were subjected to a mortar attack. The assault targeted a military base close to Kismayo Airport, a strategic location in southern Somalia.
According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), there were no reported injuries or casualties among American or partner forces, and no damage to the base or coalition property was observed.
Al-Shabaab, the militant group operating in Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement released through its affiliated media channels, the group described the operation as a “planned attack” targeting U.S. forces at Kismayo Airport. Al-Shabaab further asserted that the assault was executed in solidarity with Palestinians, framing it as a retaliatory measure against U.S.-backed Israeli operations in Gaza
The timing of this attack is significant, coinciding with the recent visit of AFRICOM’s new commander, General Dagvin Anderson, to East Africa. During his visit, General Anderson engaged with political and defense leaders, U.S. embassy country teams, and U.S. servicemembers stationed in the region.
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Kismayo, located in the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia, has historically been a strategic site in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The airport, in particular, has served as a hub for joint operations between U.S. forces and Somali security personnel. In 2012, Kenyan forces, operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), recaptured the city from Al-Shabaab, marking a significant shift in the group’s territorial control.
This recent incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by international and Somali forces in their efforts to counter Al-Shabaab’s insurgency. Despite the group’s claims, the lack of casualties and minimal damage reported by AFRICOM suggests a need for continued vigilance and strategic coordination among allied forces operating in the region.
